Fire Opened on IDF Soldiers in the Golan Heights

Two suspects from Syria enter unmanned outpost near the border, then fire on IDF soldiers who search the area.

By Elad Benari

First Publish: 7/17/2013, 12:08 AM

Golan Heights

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Fire was opened at an IDF patrol near Tel Fares in the southern Golan Heights on Tuesday night, after the troops identified two Syrians who entered an abandoned military outpost located east of the border fence.

The troops were searching the area when they were fired upon. None of the soldiers was hurt and no damage was caused. The soldiers returned fire.

The IDF said in a statement that "during a routine patrol, the suspects were seen in an unmanned outpost in the southern Golan Heights on the east side of the fence. Fire was then opened at the soldiers.

"The force returned fire. There were no injuries or damage. Army troops are searching the area," added the IDF spokesperson.

The IDF said the mortars were fired as part of the fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels and was not deliberately fired towards Israeli territory.

The Golan has been tense since the beginning of the conflict in Syria more than two years ago, but so far there have been only minor flare-ups as Syrian small arms fire or mortar rounds hit the Israeli side, prompting an occasional Israeli response.